Our waste management provider allows us to throw food scraps into the green waste recycling bin. Unfortunately, it was a hassle to deal with the scraps until we could get them to the bin along the side of the house. We took their suggestion and now save our old ice cream cartons to temporarily store the scraps in a sealed container in the kitchen until its convenient to toss them at the end of the day. So far, I’ve found we can re-use the carton for about two weeks before it gets too old. With our waste management provider, when it’s too old, we can just toss it right in the green waste too!
Save old ice cream cartons for sealed temporary food scrap storage
In addition to plant clippings, shrubs, leaves, grass and small branches (6″ diameter, less than 40″ length) and unpainted, unvarnished wood scraps, our waste management provider also allows items to go into the green waste bin that you might not think of. Here’s a list of items our waste management provider allows. (Check your provider’s website to find out what is allowed in your area):
- Anything edible.
- Old pizza boxes
- Food soiled paper, napkins or paper towels, paper plates.
- Waxed ice cream cartons.
- Coffee grounds (including the paper filter), tea bags.
- Dairy products (butter, cheese, yogurt, etc.)
- Fruits, vegetables, peels, pits.
- Meat, fish, poultry.
- Spoiled, moldy food.
Remember, though, if you use a plastic bag to gather up the scraps, you can’t toss the bag in the green waste bin. That’s why we use the ice cream carton! (Not a bad excuse for ensuring I get to eat at least a quart of ice cream every two weeks too!)
Chad M. Wall
Over the last few years, my awareness of our impact on the environment has grown into a passion for change. We are the caretakers of this magnificent, fragile planet. Its survival, and ours, depends on each of us. Eco-Footprint Solutions was spawned from this passion.